Life as a Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM)...it ain't what it used to be and it may not be what you think. This blog is simply a place to share my ideas, stories and whatever tidbits I find as a modern homemaker stalking the internet to find great ideas that anyone can use.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Okay, so doesn't it seem like nowadays everyone is trying to sell you something. Candles, wax melter thingies, make-up, bags, etc. Annoying, right? I think so, too. Then something happened. I joined the ranks of those "annoying people". Yup, I've crossed over into the dark side (ok, not really)....but let me explain.

Like any good tale, I have to go back a few years. About three years ago my second daughter started her battle with eczema. At first, I was kind of in denial. I thought, "Oh, it's just dry skin. It will clear once the weather gets warmer." But it got warmer and she kept scratching. She would scratch so hard that she broke the skin. It was horrible. I finally gave in and started to use the steroid cream her doctor prescribed. I hated putting that stuff on her. *sigh* It was then that I started to research into what exactly I could do to help her not get to that point. I researched and what I found was quite alarming. I have found that the main culprits that seemed to cause the flare-ups were dyes, fragrances, and sulfates. What was even more amazing that that those things seemed to be in EVERYTHING we use. I began shopping, reading labels, and becoming more knowledgeable of what is in our products. I also started to learn more about parabens (which have been found in breast cancer tumors) and what is in our food, how our food is grown. It's quite amazing (knowledge-wise), but also quite sad to learn about what's in these products. I also wondered why companies put these things in products because they really aren't good for anybody. While it is hard to replace everything we use, I have been able to switch key items that we have in our house and she only suffers from the occasional flare-up when the weather gets drier and I don't have to use the steroid cream but maybe two to three times a year, which is awesome!

Fast forward to this summer. My nieces introduced Bona Clara to my world. They were having parties and selling to friends and family and doing well. I watched from afar, because I am a big skeptic and weary of skin products, for obvious reasons. Plus, these were items for adults and well, to be honest, I never think about my own skin very much. But, like I do with most skin products, I decided to learn more.

Bona Clara was developed by a MIT grad to be natural-based, age-specific skin-care products. What does that mean? It means that their cleanser, toner, scrub, anti-aging serum, treatment cream, night creams and even make-up removers are tailored to four specific age groups. There is a 20s, 30s, 40s and 50+ skin care line. There is not a "one size fits all" for your skin. If you are 30 or over, you know that your skin has changed and keeps on changing. It's because your skin is getting older (boo, I know) and has changing needs. What you did for it in your 20s may not work anymore in your 30s or 40s or 50s because, well, you aren't 20 anymore. Makes sense, right? Plus they also make body treatments for scars and stretch marks and eye creams to help with puffiness and lines.

What I also learned about Bona Clara was that they are gluten-free, synthetic dye-free, paraben-free , fragrance-free, sulfate-free and they don't use animal testing. After learning that it was free of all of these things, I seriously couldn't believe it. I thought, "How is that possible? How can it even work without all of those chemicals?" Because that is one thing I have found is that a lot of products that don't have those chemicals don't seem to work as well. I still use them because it was best for my family. So, after talking to my niece late one night about my interest and skepticism she decided to let the products speak for themselves.

She sent me sample sizes of 30s Level 3 Kit which has a cleanser, scrub, toner, serum and treatment. I started on a Monday night and decided (especially since I was very skeptical it would work) that I would take "before and after" pictures*. I took my before and decided after I was done that I would take an after picture, just after one skin routine.

I couldn't believe my skin already looked better. My skin, especially on my forehead and cheeks, looked smoother and younger even. It couldn't be. The skeptic wanted to see more, because surely this had to be a fluke.

I waited a week before I took my next picture. Skeptic me decided that I would take this picture before I even I had done that night's skin routine and to see how it held up all day. I thought obviously I had seen a change before because I had just washed it, right?

Once again, I was surprised. My skin looked better and smoother! I couldn't believe it. These products that didn't contain all those harmful ingredients and that was naturally-based was working. Really, really working. I decided that it was time. Other people needed to see these products and needed to help their skin and STOP putting potentially harmful stuff on their face. It's skin care that not only HELPS you look your best, but is bringing you their BEST, too.

I know some of you may still be skeptical ( don't worry, I TOTALLY understand), but give it a try. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee (that I know you won't need). Also starting on November 4th they will be selling great holiday gift packs including one with that has a smaller sizes for you to try out the skin line kit first before you commit to the bigger sizes (which by the way, can last up three months because a little goes a long way).

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My Occasional Daily Blog Themes...

Mindful Mondays- Pieces of information that I have found that has helped me be a better mom.Wordy Wednesdays- I had to incorporate my love for quotes somewhere in here.Thankful Thursday- Sometimes it's the little things in life we should be thankful for. Will give me a chance to reflect on the blessings in my life.Foodie Fridays- Recipes or anything food related! Yum!

Disclaimer...The information posted on here is just hints and ideas. It is not my fault if your project doesn't come out just right. It is the nature of the art of crafting and cooking to find out what works best for you....it's not an exact science.